Job Description
Mid Weight Change Manager
Start date: ASAP
Duration: 2 months with possibility for extension
Location: London, hybrid
*Please note this is a contract role and you must be registered as a freelance contractor (Ltd co, Sole Trader) Or work via an Umbrella company for this contract.*
Reporting To: Change Director
About WPP & The Transformation Programme
WPP is the world’s leading creative transformation company. This high-profile business transformation will create a unified global operating model for a key client partnership, driving new levels of integration, efficiency, and growth.
The programme focuses on four core areas:
• Redefining how our people and AI work together
• Streamlining core business services
• Integrating new technologies across our global teams
• Driving transformative growth for our client and WPP
The Role
We are looking for a hands-on mid-weight Change Manager who thrives on supporting people through complex operations and technology change. You are part conductor, orchestrating a complex schedule of events, and part coach, supporting and empowering diverse, global teams.
In close partnership with the Change Director, you will translate our change strategy into a flawlessly executed plan, ensuring our global teams feel confident, capable, and supported throughout the transformation.
Key Responsibilities
Execute: Drive the Change & Enablement Schedule
• Take ownership of the detailed change project plan, driving all deliverables to completion while proactively managing dependencies, stakeholders, and progress reporting
• Support the discovery and planning for our next phase of change activities including impact, stakeholder, and risk assessment
• Bring your ideas and experience to the programme, partnering with the Change Director to resolve challenges, make strategic decisions, and build capability across the transformation team
Communicate & Engage: Execute the Transformation Comms Strategy
• Own and deliver the day-to-day communications plan, including weekly updates, stakeholder comms, and building out a central knowledge hub (FAQs, how-to guides etc)
• Define and manage a central feedback loop, partnering with the PMO and SMEs to categorise queries and provide consistent responses
• Identify potential sources of resistance, partner with stakeholders to understand the root cause, and develop targeted plans to resolve challenges
• Actively hunt for and amplify success stories and "wins" to build momentum across our global network
Enable & Reinforce: Activate Experts & Make Change Stick
• Coach and support our senior SMEs (across Ops, Tech, Products, and Media) to ensure they successfully support change activities
• Build and manage a Change Champion network, empowering them to become a key support channel for our global teams
• Design and implement simple, effective ways to measure the impact of the change, tracking both people metrics (sentiment, engagement, adoption) and progress against transformation KPIs
Key Requirements
• Transformation DNA: 5+ years of hands-on, client-facing experience in operations and technology Change Management within a global agency environment
• Change Management Rigour: You are comfortable owning a detailed project plan within the ADKAR Framework, tracking RAG statuses, managing risks, and aligning diverse stakeholders to a timeline
• Exceptional Communicator: You are a strong writer and confident presenter, able to deliver empathetic and professional communications for a diverse audience
• Resilience & Drive: You are a proactive self-starter, comfortable with ambiguity, and able to motivate yourself and others through setbacks
• A Passion for People: You are genuinely motivated by creating a positive, supportive experience for stakeholders to keep the programme on track
Your Partnership with the Change Director
Our success relies on a strong partnership between strategy and execution.
• The Change Director owns the overarching strategy and senior stakeholder management. You will own the tactical execution of that strategy.
• You will partner closely through daily check-ins (for the first two weeks) and then regular syncs to track progress, solve problems, and align on priorities.
• You are empowered to run the day-to-day change plan autonomously, bringing your ideas and experience to the table. You will escalate key risks, resource gaps, and strategic decisions to the Change Director for support and resolution.